Decorative wall facing

ABSTRACT

A simulated brick wall composed of backing panels having retaining means in the form of apertures or adhesive onto which is applied a plurality of discrete brick facings, each of the facings has a peripheral rearwardly extending flange which is adapted to simulate the sides of a brick and including cooperating means for cooperating with the adhesive or apertures to retain the brick facings in position.

United States Patent Taylor 1 Oct. 31, 1972 [54] DECORATIVE WALL FACING Primary Examiner-Alfred C. Perham [72] Inventor: Frank Taylor, 1319 Bernie St., Atwmey 'Alan Swabey LaSalle, Quebec, Canada [57] ABSTRACT [22] led: 1970 A simulated brick wall composed of backing panels [21] Appi. No.: 87,161 having retaining means in the form of apertures or adhesive onto which is applied a plurality of discrete brick facings, each of the facings has a peripheral [30] Foreign Apphcanon Priority Data rearwardly extending flange which is adapted to simu- July 23, 1970 Canada ..35,782/70 late the sides of a brick and including cooperating means for cooperating with the adhesive or apertures [52] U.S. Cl. ..52/309, 52/384, 52/386 to retain the brick facings in position. [51] Int. Cl. .;....E04i 13/18 [58] Field of Search ..52/309, 384, 386, 387, 510, 52/314 [56] References Cited 6 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Australia ..52/314 PKTENTED 0m 3 1 I972 SHEET 1 [IF 2 gag/72% in E w MGR AF 44/ E\ INVENTOR Frank TAYLOR A TTORNEY P'A'TENTED am 3 1 m2 SHEEI 2 0F 2 I N VE N TOR Frank TAYLOR DECORATIVE WALL FACING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 Field of the Invention The present invention relates to interior wall facings. More particularly, the invention relates to a simulated brick wall facing wherein discrete brick facings are releasably secured to a mortar-resembling backing.

2. Description of Prior Art Wall coverings, particularly those adapted to form simulated brick surfaces, are well known and are available in various degrees of quality and price. None, however, combine an easy application method together with authenticity of appearance and economy in costs. Furthermore, none provide a system wherein individual brick facings may be applied to the wall in one pattern and then removed from the wall and arranged in other patterns.

It is believed that none of the known simulated brick walls include means contributing to the decorative effeet while significantly increasing the insulation value of the wall structure.

With known arrangements, generally speaking, when a high degree of authenticity is achieved, it is at the expense of more complicated application procedures and higher basic material cost. Conversely, if economy is the goal, the authentic brick-like appearance generally is not obtained.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION It is thus the main object of the present invention to provide a simulated brick wall that is relatively economical and yet authentic in appearance and easily erected.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system of applying discrete brick facings to a backing wherein the brick facings maybe individually separated from the backing and rearranged and reapplied to form other patterns, i.e., assuming different colored brick facings are used.

Broadly, the present invention relates to a simulated brick wall composed of a backing panel and a plurality of discrete molded brick facings, each of which has a peripheral flange extending completely therearound, pin means projecting from the rear face of the brick facings and adapted to cooperate with aperture means in the panel to align the bricks. The invention also contemplates a backing panel having a plurality of projections thereon and adapted to cooperate with the brick facing having the peripheral flange so that the peripheral flange extends about the projection and the brick facing may be simply glued to the projection on the backing.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the backing panels are provided with both the projections and the aperture means while the brick facings have peripheral flanges together with pin means so that the advantages of both structures may be used.

In any of the embodiments, the backing panel may be made of a suitable insulating material such as polystyrene foam or the like. This is particularly preferred where the backing panel has projections since the backing panel would then have to be molded or suitably formed to provide the projections. Also, the

resiliency of polystyrene foam permits a relatively tight frictional grip between the pin means and the aperture means to securely hold the brick facings in position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Further features, objects and advantages will be evident from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view partly in section of a wall decorated utilizing the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a section along the line 2'-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the textured side of the simulated brick facing;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but showing the backing of thebrick facing;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of one form of projection;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the projection of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation of a wall incorporatin another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the bottom of a brick facing for use in the wall of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows the brick facing held in position on the backing panel of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 11 is a detailed view showing the pin and aperture connection of the structure of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the wall structure 10 generally includes a backing panel 12 having a plurality of raised projections 14 with intervening horizontal grooves 16 and a staggered pattern of vertical grooves 18 defining the periphery of each of the projections 14.

In the specific arrangement shown, a plurality of backing panels are applied to the wall, there being in the section illustrated portions of six different panels as indicated at 12, 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30. It will be noted that the abutment lines between adjacent of these panels are substantially completely covered by the brick facings except in the areas of the grooves 16 and 18 which form the simulated mortar. Thus, at any given location, the maximum length of abutment joint between adjacent panels that will be visible is determined by the width of the mortar joints (see FIG. 1 wherein the side edges of the adjacent panels have been indicated by the lines 32, 34 and 36).

The brick facings 38 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) have a decorative face 40 which is surrounded by a peripheral flange 42 projecting rearwardly therefrom. This flange 42 also has an exposed surface 44 which is decorated to simulate the sides of a brick. As can be seen from FIG. 5, the peripheral flange 42 forms the border of a depression 46 which is adapted to receive a projection 14 therein. Projecting outwardly from the bottom of the depression 46 are a pair of pins 48 which are adapted to cooperate with holes 50 in the backing panels 12, 22,24, 26, 28, 30, etc.

The holes 50 in the backing panels, for example panel 12, do not project completely therethrough. The backing panel is preferably molded so that its cross-sectional. dimension remains substantially constant except in the areas of the apertures 50, i.e., in the areas of the projection 14, there are formed depressions 52 and in the areas immediately below the holes or apertures 50 are rearward projections 54.

Because the apertures 50 do not project completely through the backing panels, it is preferred to use split pins 48 with at least one slit as indicated at 56 to permit the escape of air when the pins are inserted into their respective apertures. In the arrangement shown, for example, in FIG. 7, two slits 56 have been provided for the pin 48. This pin may be curved or tapered as indicated at 58 (see FIG. 6) to facilitate insertion of the pin into the hole.

With the arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 inclusive, the simulated brick wall is made by first attaching the backing panels 12, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, etc. to an erected wall in any suitable manner, preferably by the use of adhesive. The panels may be applied directly to a cement wall of the like by application of adhesive to the projections 54. After a sufficient number of panels 12, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, etc. have been applied, the brick facings 38 may then be applied. As can be seen, each brick facing overlies a projection 14 and has its pins 48 received within the apertures 50. Also, at the lines of juncture between adjacent backing panels, the brick facings 38 overlap a pair of partial mating projections 14 on adjacent of said backing panels. See, for example, backing panels and 22 and the facings marked 40'.

The overlap of the facings 38 with projection 14 on adjacent panels ensures alignment of laterally adjacent panels and can be used for positioning the panels during application of the panels to the wall. This procedure may also be used to obtain horizontal alignment of backing panels but this will require that the bottom edge of the backing panel to pass through projections 14 rather than extending along the junction line between the projections 14 and the adjacent groove 16 as in the illustrated arrangement (see the bottom lefthand corner of FIG. 1). The illustrated arrangement, however, is preferred as it permits the panels to be brought into abutting relationship with the floor or other datum line without necessitating beginning with a partial brick. On the other hand, where accurate vertical alignment is desired, the bottom edge of the lowest backing panels may be cut off at the mortar line 16 so that the bottom course of facings 38 will be composed of whole facings 38. i

In the above described embodiment, the flanges 42 completely surround and may embrace the projections 14 while the projections 48 are received snugly within the apertures 50 so that the styrofoam or the like from which the backing panels are made is compressed by entry of the pins or projections 48. This securely holds the brick facings 40 in position and yet permits same to be withdrawn by pulling the pins 48 from the apertures 50.

If desired, the pins 48 and apertures 50 may be omitted and the surfaces of the projections 14 coated with adhesive so that the facings would simply be glued in position. In this latter arrangement, the adhesive would be preapplied and covered with a strippable material to expose same for application of the brick facings. V

The styrofoam backing provides an insulation while forming part of the decorative surface. The styrofoam may also be colored to resemble the mortar so that when the facings 38 are in position an authentic looking brick wall is provided.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of substantially identical panels 60, 62, 64, 66, etc. have been provided. These panels are substantially flat panels with no projections but provided with a plurality of holes 68 which are adapted to receive pins 70 on the brick'facings 38a (see FIG. 9). The panels 60, etc. may be made of any suitable material having sufficient resiliency to frictionally engage the pin and preferably are formed from masonite or the like that generally will be at least about one-quarter inch thick. One-eighth inch masonite may be used, however, the frictional gripping power between the pin and the aperture is reduced and the flexibility of the backing facilitates warping of the backing to separate same from the brick facing and may result in damage to the brick facings or misalignment of adjacent holes 68.

As above indicated, the backing panels 60, 62, 64, 66, etc. are not provided with upstanding projections 14. Thus, to facilitate proper positioning of the facings 38a and relieve the stresses applied to the peripheral flange 42 of this facing, an abutment flange 72 is provided at the base of the pins 70 where the pins 70 are connected to the bottom of the depression 46. As can be seen from FIG. 11, the pins 70 are of different shape than the pins 48 of the previous embodiment, the pins 70 having a tapered section 74, a substantially flat section 76, the flat section being adjacent the abutment flange 72 and improving the frictional grip between the backing panel 70 and the pin.

As shown in FIG. 10, a pair of pins 70 project through a pair of holes 68. The position of the holes 68 align the brick facings to ensure that an accurate pattern of bricks on the wall is provided. The outer surface of the mounting panel 60 is coated or tinted to match a simulated brick mortar.

In either of the embodiments, the use of the peripheral flange 42 having decorative facings and surrounding the decorative surface 42 provides an authentic looking brick arrangement as five sides of the brick are visible.

Each of the embodiments described hereinabove includes a pair of pins. It will be apparent, however, that a single pin may be used; however, this will result in reducing the alignment features described above, for example, adjacent backing panels will not as easily be aligned during erection since only one hole is available. Where the projections such as projections 14 are not provided, alignment of the brick facings 38 themselves on the backing panels would necessitate pins that were not circular, i.e., some means to prevent rotation of the brick facings on the pins would have to be provided. Also, where only a single pin is used, it may be desirable to make the flanges 42 deeper towards the extremities of the facings and shallower adjacent the pins to better ensure that the facings are held in position with the edge of the flange 42 abutting the backing panel.

Modifications will be evident to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A simulated brick wall comprising a backing panel molded to provide a plurality of individual spaced raised projections each having a flat upper surface, said projections defining between them a pattern of longitudinally extending continuous grooves interconnected by discrete transversely extending grooves between their raised edges, each of said transversely extending grooves interconnecting a pair of adjacent longitudinally extending grooves, said longitudinal and transverse grooves defining a recessed surface between said raised edges of said projections, apertures in said panels in the areas of said projections spaced inwardly of said edges, a plurality of discrete simulated brick facings, each of said facings having a peripheral flange adapted to enclose said projections and be received into a pair of longitudinal and transverse grooves, said peripheral flanges of adjacent brick facings being spaced apart in said longitudinal and transverse grooves to define recessed mortar grooves between adjacent peripheral flanges of said brick facings and said recessed surface of said grooves, pin means projecting rearwardly from each of said brick facings and spaced inwardly from said peripheral flange, said pin means being frictionally retained in said apertures to permit a person to readily remove each said brick facings independently of one another by grasping said peripheral flange between the fingers and pulling said brick facing away from said backing panel.

2. A simulated brick wall as defined in claim 1, wherein said backing panel is a molded foam insulating material.

3. A simulated brick wall as defined in claim 2, wherein said projections are received within depressions formed in said facings and defined by said peripheral flanges, said depressions and said projections being substantially the same size.

4. A brick wall as defined in claim 3, wherein said connecting means comprises adhesive between said brick facings and said backing, said adhesive being applied to the exposed upper face of each of said projections.

5. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said backing panel is made of polystyrene foam.

6. A simulated brick wall as defined in claim 1 wherein said pin means are two spaced pins on each of said facings cooperating with a respective aperture in said backing panel. 

1. A simulated brick wall comprising a backing panel molded to provide a plurality of individual spaced raised projections each having a flat upper surface, said projections defining between them a pattern of longitudinally extending continuous grooves interconnected by discrete transversely extending grooves between their raised edges, each of said transversely extending grooves interconnecting a pair of adjacent longitudinally extending grooves, said longitudinal and transverse grooves defining a recessed surface between said raised edges of said projections, apertures in said panels in the areas of said projections spaced inwardly of said edges, a plurality of discrete simulated brick facings, each of said facings having a peripheral flange adapted to enclose said projections and be received into a pair of longitudinal and transverse grooves, said peripheral flanges of adjacent brick facings being spaced apart in said longitudinal and transverse grooves to define recessed mortar grooves between adjacent peripheral flanges of said brick facings and said recessed surface of said grooves, pin means projecting rearwardly from each of said brick facings and spaced inwardly from said peripheral flange, said pin means being frictionally retained in said apertures to permit a person to readily remove each said brick facings independently of one another by grasping said peripheral flange between the fingers and pulling said brick facing away from said backing panel.
 2. A simulated brick wall as defined in claim 1, wherein said backing panel is a molded foam insulating material.
 3. A simulated brick wall as defined in claim 2, wherein said projections are received within depressions formed in said facings and defined by said peripheral flanges, said depressions and said projections being substantially the same size.
 4. A brick wall as defined in claim 3, wherein said connecting means comprises adhesive between said brick facings and said backing, said adhesive being applied to the exposed upper face of each of said projections.
 5. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said backing panel is made of polystyrene foam.
 6. A simulated brick wall as defined in claim 1 wherein said pin means are two spaced pins on each of said facings cooperating with a respective aperture in said backing panel. 